Dispensing apparatus



Oct. 3, 1939. R. w. WARNER m-AL DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed June 5', 19382 Sheets-Sheet l Dot. 3, 1939. R, w, WARNER ET AL 2,174,712

'DISPEflS ING APPARATUS Filed June 3, 1938 2 She'ets-Sheet 2 PatentedOct. 3. 1939 UNITED STATES 2.174.712 DISPENSING APPARATUS Ralph w.Warner, Almon o. Woodrufl, and H'arold Smallcy,

corporation of Iowa Denmark, Iowa, Dairy Dispenser Com assignors toIdeal pany, Denmark, Iowa, a

Application June 3, 1938, Serial No. 211,586

\ 10 claims.

This invention relates to a dispensing apparatus and has specialreference. to a device for dispensing and for conveniently handlingcontainers for beverages and thelike.

More particularly this invention has reference to an apparatus fordispensing containers of the type having a neck portion of reduced widthbetween enlarged head and main body portions, comprising a frame havinga plurality of spaced guideways communicating with a delivery opening inwhich the guideways are of a width to permit passage of the containersin the direction thereof but to prevent removal therefrom, there being arotatable shaft extending in the direction of one of the guidewaysadjacent the delivery opening with means on the shaft for alternatelyobstructing and clearing the last mentioned guideway as the deliveryopening is respectively cleared and obstructed during the rotation ofthe shaft.

As will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out, the enlarged headsof the containers are preferably supported by the edges of spaced stripsin order to eliminate the possibility of the containers tipping, Thestrips permit the containers to be moved therealong manually to thedelivery opening which is normally obstructed but is cleared by therotation of a shaft, which movement obstructs the adjacent guideway toprevent removal of a second container except by a continued rotation ofthe shaft.

The rotatable shaft is preferably operated by a coin-controlledmechanism which may permit a single complete revolution of the rotatableshaft after the insertion of a coin therein, a second complete rotationof the shaft being obtained' only upon the insertion of a second coin.Thus it is possible to obtain access to a container through .thedelivery opening upon a complete revolution of the rotatable shaft.

The only mechanical operation necessary in dispensing a container fromthe dispensing apparatus is the rotation of a shaft. The containers aremanually moved to position for access thereto by manual manipulation andthus a maximum simplicity of construction is obtained. Under normal use,therefore, there is nothing that could possibly get out of order. One ofthe objects of this invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus ofthe character indicated above which is simple and efficient inoperation, is comparatively inexpensive to "manufacture, and is durable.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus ofthe type hereinabove mentioned in which the containers are manuallymoved to position for the dispensing operation, the dispensing operationbeing controlled by a simple revolution of a rotatable shaft.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter be moreparticularly pointed out and for a more complete understanding of thecharacteristic features of this invention, reference may now be had tothe following description when taken together with the accompany ingdrawings, in which latter:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a dispensing apiparatus embodying thefeatures of this inven- Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of'Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of Fig. l; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view similar to Fig. 1 showing achanged position of the dispensing mechanism.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the apparatus embodyingthe features of this invention is shown as comprising a frame it]preferably of substantially rectangular shape, having vertically spacedend bars ii and i2 connecting vertically spaced cross bars 53 and M. Thevertically spaced cross bars 53 and it may each preferably comprise a.substantially rectangular frame formed of continuous metal strips withthe frames connected together by the end bars ii and i2 likewisepreferably comprising metal strips which are welded or otherwise fixedly secured thereto.

A plurality of spaced guideways l5 extend longitudinally of the frameand are formed by the spaced rigid strips It, The strips it maypreferably be formed of metal in which one end of each of the strips issecured as by welding or the like to the upper end bar H with the otherend of each of the strips being supported on and secured to the upperends of rods l! and I8. The lower ends of the rods ll are preferablysecured to a laterally extending strip l9 and the lower ends of rods itare preferably secured to a laterally extending strip 20, the ends ofthe strips l9 and 20 being preferably welded or otherwise secured to thelower cross bars l3 and M of theframe.

A plate 2| is disposed preferably adjacent one corner of the frame, oneend of the plate being supported by and welded or otherwise secured tothe upper cross bar it of the frame, with the other end of the platebeing supported by and secured, as by means of welding, to the upper endof a bracket 22. The bracket 22 has its lower shorter -strips l9 equalto the spacing between The plate 2| extends preferably in the same planewith the strips l and one side edge thereof is spaced a distance fromthe end of the adjacent the strips to form a laterally extendingguideway 23. The free end of the plate 2| is likewise spaced the samedistance from an adjacent longer strip It as the spacing betweenadjacent strips. The other side edge of the plate 2| is alsospaced fromthe upper and strip |2 the same distance as it is spaced from the endsof the strips l8 which, as above stated, is equal to the spacing betweenadjacent strips |5. The same spacing is also had between the ends of thelonger strips l6 and the strip I2 as that between adjacent strips toform a laterally extending guideway 24.

A plurality of containers 25 are stored in the guideways I5, each of thecontainers preferably.

having a neck portion 25 of reduced width between an enlarged headportion 21 and a main body portion 23. The underneath edges of the heads21 rest on edges of the strips l6 bounding the guideways l5 and thedepth of the frame is sufficient to permit the container to be suspendedon the strips. In suspending the containers by the enlarged headportions, the containers are prevented from falling over or tipping whenthe casing is handled or when the containers are. moved. The spacebetween the strips is sufflcient to permit passage of the containers inthe direction of the guideways but the enlarged head and main bodyportions prevent removal thereof through the guideways.

A rotatable shaft 29 is mounted beneath the plate 2|, one end of theshaft being supported in bearings of vertically extending strips 30, thestrips being secured between the spaced cross bars l3, and the other endof the shaft being supported in a bearing of the bracket 22. The plate2| is cut away as at 3| to provide a delivery opening 32, the cut-awayportion being of sufilcient width to form a space between it and the endbar l2 to permit the removal of the container. This width, of course,will be slightly larger than the widest diameter of the container.

In order to prevent unauthorized dispensing of the containers, the shaft29 is provided with an offset portion 33 and a plate 33a. secured to andprojecting outwardly from said offset portion, the plate and offsetportion extending into the dispensing opening 32 during one position ofthe rotatable shaft. Such a position is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.The shape of the offset portion 33 is preferably substantially the-sameas that of the peripheral contour of the cut-away portion 3|, both ofwhich are preferably of substantially the same contour as that of thecontainer.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 4 of the drawings, the rotatableshaft 29 has been moved to a position-such that the offset portion 33has cleared the delivery opening and is wholly concealed by the plate2|. Such a position of the rotatable shaft and the offset portion 33permits 'the movement of a container 25 into position in the deliveryopening for removal.

It is desirable that during the removal of one,

from being dispensed by reason of the ofiset portion 33 of the rotatableshaft 29 obstructing the delivery opening. As the shaft 29 is rotated ahalf a revolution, the container 25 is moved into the delivery openingand in order to prevent a second container from being movedsimultaneously therewith a plate 34 is fixedly securedto the rotatableshaft 29 preferably at an angle oblique to the axis of the shaft. Shouldit be attempted to move a second container together with the firstcontainer into the delivery opening, the obliquely-disposed plate wouldnot only prevent the entrance of a container thereinto but wouldactually move the container in an opposite direction to the direction oftravel of the first container as shown in Fig. 4.

In the dispensing operation, the containers- .ing guideway 24 forpassage to the delivery opening 32. A coin is inserted into thecoin-controlled mechanism for permitting a partial rotation of the shaft29 to the position shown in Fig. 4, whereafter the container may beremoved.

If a container of chocolate milk, for example, is desired and thatsubstance is in the next to the bottom guideway, the container is movedlongitudinally along the guideway IE to the laterally extending guideway24 for position adjacent the delivery opening whereupon the shaft 29 isoperated to the position shown in Fig. 4 to permit removal of thecontainer, From the position in Fig. 4 it is necessary, before a secondcontainer may be obtained, for the shaft to be rotated a half revolutionso that the container may pass the plate 34 to the position shown inFig. l, whereafter a completion of the rotating movement of the shaftwill free the obstruction to the delivery opening to permit removalthereof.

In order to replenish the supply of containers to the guideways, the end35 of one of the strips |6 may be pivotally secured to the main bodyportion so that it may be raised to a vertical plane thus enlarging thelaterally extending guideway 24 to the width of the greatest diameter ofthe container. A hasp 36 is secured to the underneath side of the endportion 35 and has a U- shaped portion 31 extending from the uppersurface thereof through a slot 38 in the strip IS. A lock 39 may extendthrough the U-shaped portion and secure the hasp and the end portion 35against movement excepting by unlocking the lock 3-9 and removing thesame from the U- shaped portion.

An elevated platform 4|] may preferably be disposed beneath thelaterally extending guideway 24 and the delivery opening, the platformhaving an inclined portion 40a for directing the containers thereupon.The platform is sufficiently high to project a substantial portion ofthe container above the frame, the container being readily accesible forremoval in such position.

While but a single embodiment of this invention is herein shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof maybe apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same is only tobe pended claims. We claim: 1. A dispensing apparatusfor containershavlimited by the scope of the prior art and the aping a neck portion ofreduced width between enlarged head and main body portions, comprising aframe having a plurality of spaced guideways communicating with adelivery opening, said guideways being of a width to permit passage ofsaid containers in the direction thereof but to prevent removaltherefrom, a rotatable shaft mounted on said frame and extending in thedirection of one of said guideways adjacent 'said delivery opening,means on said shaft and rotatable therewith for movement to alternatelyobstruct and clear said delivery opening, and means on said shaft androtatable therewith for movement to alternately obstruct and clear thelast-mentioned guideway as said delivery opening is respectively clearedand obstructed by the .rotation of said shaft.

2. A dispensing apparatus for containers having a neck portion ofreduced width between enlarged head and main body portions, comprising aframe having a plurality of spaced guideways communicating with adelivery opening, said guideways being of a width to permit passage ofsaid containers in the direction thereof but to prevent removaltherefrom, a rotatable shaft from said shaft for movement to alternatelyobstruct and clear the last-mentioned guideways said delivery opening isrespectively cleared and obstructed thereby by the rotation of saidshaft.

3. A- dispensing apparatus for containers having a neck portion ofreduced width between enlarged head and main body portions, comprising aframe having a plurality of spaced guideways communicating with adelivery opening, said guideways being ofa width to permit passage ofsaid containers in the direction thereof but to prevent removaltherefrom, a rotatable shaft mounted on said frame and extending in thedirection of one of said guideways adjacent said delivery opening, meansfixed to and extending outwardly from one side of said shaft formovement to alternately obstruct and clear said delivery opening, andmeans on the opposite side of said shaft for movement to alternatelyobstruct and clear the last-mentioned guideway as said delivery openingis respectively cleared and obstructed by the rotation of said shaft.

4. A dispensing apparatus for containers having a neck portion ofreduced width between enlarged head and main body portions, comprising aframe having a plurality of spaced guideways communicating with adelivery opening, said guideways being of a. width to permit passage ofsaid containers in the direction thereof but to prevent removaltherefrom, a rotatable shaft mounted on said frame and extending in thedirection of one of said guideways adjacent said delivery opening, aplate fixed to said shaft for alternately obstructing and clearing thelastmentioned guideway during rotation of said shaft, and a separatemeans on said shaft for alternately obstructing and clearing saiddelivery opening as said last-mentioned guideway is reduring therotation of said shaft.

5. A dispensing apparatus for containers having a neck portion ofreduced width between enlarged head and main body portions, comprising aframe having a, plurality of spaced guideways communicating with adelivery opening, said guideways being of a witdth to permit passage ofsaid containers in the direction thereof but to prevent removaltherefrom, a rotatable shaft mounted on said frame and extending in thedirection of one of said guideways adjacent said delivery opening andhaving an offset portion, and a plate on said shaft for alternatelyobstructing and clearing the last-mentioned guideway during rotation ofsaid shaft, said offset portion alternately obstructing and clearingsaid delivery opening as said last-mentioned guideway is respectivelycleared and obstructed by said plate during the rotation of said shaft.

6. A dispensing apparatus for containers having a neck portion ofreduced width between enlarged head and main body portions, comprising aframe having a plurality of spaced guideways communicating with adelivery opening, said guideways being of a width to permit passage ofsaid containers in the direction thereof but to prevent removaltherefrom, a rotatable shaft mounted on said frame and extending in thedirection of one of said guideways adjacent said delivery opening andhaving an ofl'set portion, and a plate fixed on said shaft foralternately obstructing and clearing the last-mentioned guideway duringrotation of said shaft, said plate extending in a direction oblique tothe axis of said shaft, said offset portion alternately obstructing andclearing said delivery opening as said lastmentioned guideway isrespectively cleared and obstructed during the rotation of said shaft,

7. A dispensing apparatus for containers having a neck portion ofreduced width between enlarged head and main body portions, comprising aframe having a plurality of spaced guideways communicating with adelivery opening shaped substantially to conform to the contour of saidcontainer, said guideways being of a width to permit passage of saidcontainers in the direction thereof but to prevent removal therefrom, arotatable shaft mounted on said frame and ex--' tending in the directionof one of said guideways adjacent said delivery opening and having anoffset portion shaped to conform to the adjacent portion of saiddelivery opening, and a plate on said shaft for alternately obstructingand clearing the last-mentioned guideway during rotation of said shaft,said plate having an arcuate periphery and extending in a directionoblique. to the axis of said shaft, said offset portion alternatelyobstructing and clearing said delivery opening as said last-mentionedguideway is respectively cleared and obstructed during the rotation ofsaid shaft.

8. A dispensing apparatus for containers having a neck portion ofreduced width between enlarged head and main body portions, comprising aframe having a plurality of spaced rigid strips forming guidewayscommunicating with a delivery opening, the space between said stripsbeing of a width to permit passage of said containers in the directionthereof but to prevent removal therefrom, a rotatable shaft mounted onsaid frame and extending in the direction of one of said guidewaysadjacent said delivery opening, means on said shaft and rotatabletherewith for movement to alternately obstruct and clear said deliveryopening, and means on said shaft for movement to alternately obstructand clear the last-mentioned guideway as said delivery opening isrespectively cleared and obstructed during the rotation of said shaft.

9. A dispensing apparatus for containers having a neck portion ofreduced width between enlarged head and main body portions, comprising aframe having a plurality of spaced rigid strips forming longitudinallyextending guideways, said strips terminating in a spaced relation fromone end of said frame to form a laterally extending guidewaycommunicating with a delivery opening, said laterally and longitudinallyextending guideways being of a width to permit passage of saidcontainers in the direction thereof but to prevent removal therefrom, arotatable shaft mounted on said frame and extending in the direction ofsaid laterally extending guideway adjacent said delivery opening, meanson said shaft and rotatable therewith for movement to alternatelyobstruct and clear said delivery opening, and means on said shaft formovement to alternately obstruct and clear the laterally extendingguideway as said delivery opening is respectively cleared and obstructedduring the rotation ofsaid shaft.

10. A dispensing apparatus for containers having a neck portion ofreduced width between enlarged head and main body portions, comprising aframe having a plurality of spaced rigid strips forming longitudinallyextending guideways, said strips terminating in a spaced relation fromone end of said frame to form a laterally extending guidewaycommunicating with a delivery opening, said laterally and longitudinallyextending guideways being of a width to permit passage of saidcontainers in the direction thereof but to prevent removal therefrom,said head portions of said containers adapted to rest on and besupported by portions of said strips bounding the spaces therebetween, aplatform beneath said laterally extending guideway for elevating saidRALPH W. WARNER. ALMON C. WOODRUFF. HAROLD SMALLEY.

